If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me
For I must be travelin' on now
There's too many places I got to see

If I stay here with you girl
Things just couldn't be the same
'Cause I'm as free as a bird now
And this bird you cannot change
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
And the bird you cannot change
And this bird you cannot change
Lord knows, I can't change

Bye and bye baby, it's been sweet love, yeah yeah
Though this feelin' I can't change
Please don't take it so badly
'Cause Lord knows, I'm to blame

And if I stay here with you girl
Things just couldn't even be the same
'Cause I'm as free as a bird now
And this bird you cannot change
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
And the bird you cannot change
And this bird you cannot change

167 Comments

General CommentAgain, saw this song live. It was AMAZING. They went off stage, as to say "we're not playing FreeBird" and the entire crowd started screaming and pounding on the seats. Finally, Billy came out and played a 10 minute piano solo that lead into FreeBird. It was amazing, then Johnny, Gary. and the rest of the band came out and played a 20 minute version of the song. I just can't say enough about it.

My InterpretationFor me, this song reminds me of the relationship between myself and my mother. She worries so much about me almost all of the time. Also, I have no problem in saying that I "seek the world"; such a traveller at heart!! My mam isn't the best traveller when it comes to flying, so it's a real kick in the teeth for her.

"I must be travelling on now, 'cause there's too many places I've got to see".

Me, I can relate to this line sooooo much. My mam must accept that, one day, whether she likes it or not, she is going to have to let me go and do the things and see the things that I want to do and see.

Me being an only child doesn't help, I suppose... but that's my two cents for this amazing song.

General Commenti live in alabama, no way i couldnt love this song. its great all around. absolutely a classic i couldnt live without down here in the south. great little instrumental part always gets me pumpin.

General CommentThe song is not about death or Duane Allman. Just read the biography. They were sitting around one day and Allan Collins asked his girlfriend "If i leave here tommorrow would you still remember me" That is how one of the greatest rock songs of all time was written.

Can't believe I had to read two whole pages before someone got the meaning right. I've known the meaning for years but to come on here and see so many people get it wrong is unbelieveable. As you said, Allan Collins girlfriend asked the question and he turned it into one of the best songs ever - Thats about all there is to it.

General CommentThis song really hits home to me right now. I just broke up with a girl that i truely love. I'll be graduating from highschool in a few weeks and heading off to college a couple hours away. She is also graduating and going to college a few hours in the opposite direction. I ended our relationship on the fact that we would rarely be together and college life would take its toll on us. So my justification for ending the relationship was that I would rather end it now and save our friendship rather than get ripped and cheat on her making us hate each other. So enough with my rambling. A truely great song by an amazing band. Saw them live a couple years ago at the west virginia state fair. Great show, cant wait to see them again.

Song MeaningIt's been mentioned previously but I want to put this to bed once and for all... Allan Collins girlfriend asked him one day "if I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?" That became the opening line of the song (the music was written a few years earlier) - there are no connections to Duane Allman - or to anybody dying. If they dedicated the song to Allman during a live gig then I can't comment on that but when the song was released, it wasn't dedicated to anyone - It was just a song about having to leave his Gf because he can't be held down (and this bird you cannot chain).

General Commentpossibly the best song ever composed. i had the pleasure of seeing the band live for their first show after leon passed away. it was the tribute show and lord was it awesome. keep rockin the south skynyrd band!

General Commentnot to say that this band isnt the greatest (cause they are!!!) but can you actually believe that MCA Records wanted Skynyrd to actually cut this song from their debut album, saying that it was too long!!! Could you imagine Pronounced lehnerd skenerd w/o FREE BIRD I think not, and yes i have to agree i have seen them live 4 times, the last after Leon passed :(, but that song gets bigger and badder each time (Did i mention it got me intrigued enough to start playing guitar !!! )